Warsaw, Ind. (November 2, 2020) – The Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) recently hosted its 2020 annual meeting to recognize 2020 investors, to elect the organization’s 2021 board of directors, and to announce the winners of the Business Impact and Rising Leaders award programs.
“This was such a special opportunity to recognize the public and private sector investors that make our work possible and to shine the spotlight on businesses and individuals who are making a difference in our community,” said KEDCO CEO Alan Tio, “I’m excited about the momentum our team is building and look forward to more achievements yet this year to propel us into 2021.”
KEDCO highlighted successes such as launching the Small Business Relief Fund to support clients with business recovery and job retention during COVID-19. The fund was launched with support from the City of Warsaw, County, Town of Winona Lake and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). Funding is still available for small businesses and the application is available at the KEDCO website.
Other accomplishments during 2020 include KEDCO completing its new brand identity and relocating its offices to Warsaw City Hall, partnering with the City of Warsaw and the Town of Winona Lake to develop a vision plan for the Argonne Road Corridor, forming a marketing strategy for the Warsaw Tech Park and leading planning for an innovation center, and continuing to build the agribusiness, entrepreneurship, housing, redevelopment, and talent initiatives.
“This year we have continued to refine our economic development initiatives to meet the specific needs of clients and communities,” said Tio, “We are transitioning from the ‘startup’ phase to the ‘scale-up’ phase as we work to build a best-in-class organization.”
KEDCO recognized 30 local businesses with Business Impact awards and 20 individuals with Rising Leader awards – the inaugural winners of the organization’s new awards programs. The Rising Leader award is KEDCO’s take on a ‘Forty under 40” program to identify emerging leaders in the community. The Business Impact award recognizes local businesses in the county that have added jobs, expanded their operations, or made COVID-19-related investments in the community during 2020. Projections from these local companies include $135M in personal property or real estate investments in local operations, 550+ new jobs and $11.2M in wages for new job creation.
Want to stay connected with KEDCO? Find KEDCO on Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram (@kosciuskoedc) and visit www.kosciuskoedc.com.
About Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation
Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) was formed in 1984 as Kosciusko Development, Inc. to promote economic and community development throughout Kosciusko County. KEDCO is the economic development corporation serving Kosciusko County and all the municipalities therein. Our mission is to convene, build, and show our community’s economic growth resources. For more information, visit: www.kosciuskoedc.com.
Media Contact:
Alan Tio (KEDCO) – 574.306.4119 or atio@kosciuskoedc.com